New York Commission Approves 112.5-Megawatt Wind Project

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has authorized construction and operation of a 112.5-megawatt (MW) wind project in the Town of Sheldon, about 30 miles southeast of Buffalo.

Sheldon Energy plans to build 75 wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 MW, plus 20 miles of access roads, overhead and underground electrical lines, a 2-acre interconnection substation, construction staging areas, and a centrally located operations and maintenance facility at the site. The turbines will range in height up to 397 feet, with a rotor diameter of approximately 253 to 271 feet. The project will connect with an existing 230-kV transmission line, owned by New York State Electric & Gas.

The Town of Sheldon analyzed the project for potential environmental impacts on land use and zoning, visual resources, socioeconomic issues, traffic and transportation, air quality, noise, soils, geology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology including threatened and endangered species, effects on communications facilities, storm water management, and impacts of construction. The town determined that the facility would yield economic benefits to the area. Sheldon Energy estimated those benefits to total about $2.1 million.

The wind power plant will sell its output into the wholesale markets administered by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) or adjacent control areas. Sheldon Energy will participate in renewable energy programs with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, green marketers, and other buyers. The company will sell the output of its project exclusively at wholesale and will not be a retail supplier of electricity. The project is expected to provide capacity, voltage support, and ancillary services to the NYISO markets.

Sheldon Energy is a subsidiary of Invenergy Wind LLC. Invenergy subsidiaries have eight projects totaling 686 MW under development or in commercial operation in Poland, Montana and Texas. Sheldon Energy expects to begin construction soon and anticipates the facility to begin operating by the end of this year.